CL PHOTOS: Supreme Bayern thrash Barca 4-0

CL PHOTOS: Supreme Bayern thrash Barca 4-0

Barcelona, who have changed the face of the game in recent years, were handed a footballing lesson when they were crushed 4-0 by Bayern Munich in an extraordinary Champions League semi-final first leg on Tuesday.

The Catalans, winners of the trophy in 2009 and 2011, had no answer to Bayern's power, speed, pressing and resolute defence as they slumped to their heaviest defeat for almost six years and matched their worst result in European competition.

The victory was so comprehensive the 68,000 crowd at the Allianz Arena may have wondered whether they were witnessing the end of an era as the all-conquering visitors were ripped apart in the second half.

Image: Bayern Munich's Mario Gomez (left) falls on top of Barcelona's Lionel Messi during their Champions League semi-final first leg match in Munich, on TuesdayPhotographs: Michael Dalder/Reuters

'We have a very good chance now of reaching the final'

Thomas Mueller was the architect, scoring the first and last goals and setting up the second for Mario Gomez as the Bavarians, already crowned Bundesliga champions, continued an astonishing season that could yet yield a treble.

'4-0 is a very difficult result to turn around'

Gomez looked marginally offside when he turned in the second after 49 minutes and Barcelona protested that midfielder Mueller blocked Jordi Alba as the defender tried to tackle Arjen Robben before the Dutchman clipped the ball into the corner 24 minutes later.

Two of the goals followed corners, exposing weaknesses in the Barca defence in the absence of the injured Carles Puyol.

"Miracles are very difficult and 4-0 is a very difficult result to turn around," said Barca's assistant coach Jordi Roura, referring to the second leg at the Nou Camp on May 1.

Robben also came to the party

The Catalans were then run ragged after that as shots from Mueller and Ribery flashed wide and Robben went close with a header from a free kick.

Barca were even reduced to long balls forward in their attempt to break free of the home team's shackles.

Bayern were cruising at 2-0 when defensive midfielder Luiz Gustavo replaced Gomez in the 71st minute but there was no end to the agony for Barca.

Robben exploited some gaps two minutes later when he dribbled down the right for the third goal although Mueller appeared to unfairly block Alba as the Dutchman tucked inside before shooting home with his left foot.

Image: Bayern Munich's Arjen Robben (top) jumps for the ball over Barcelona's Jordi Alba during their Champions League semi-final first leg match on TuesdayPhotographs: Michael Dalder/Reuters